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Lockdown writing prompts … it’s all in the detail
Found these from 2018, used with my writing group at the time (maybe). Struck me they are ideal writing prompts for lockdown, when getting out is difficult ... try them. Close your eyes for a few moments and think of the room or place around you. Think of all the...
Is life writing your thing?
Ever fancied writing your life story? Or someone else's? Give it a go as it can be immensely rewarding, and absorbing. It can also sell! Life writing is biography and autobiography. It can be chronological or it might be themed (I love the latter). Those of you who...
Keeping in touch with Apple FaceTime
For a few years now I've mostly used Apple devices to get stuff done, and for personal use. If you know a lot of people with Apple devices one thing to look into if you haven't already is FaceTime. It's been around since 2010. All things related to Apple involve...
Store your photos in the cloud
I can not stress this enough. If you have a phone or tablet, and take photos of, well, anything, and you want to keep those photos - store them in the cloud. I've seen countless people say that they've 'lost everything' because their device has broken, been lost or...
Expanding your knowledge with the Kindle or Apple Books App
Like many people I love reading. I enjoy all kinds of stories. The one thing that I really enjoy though is the physical book itself. I don't think you can beat it, but, sometimes when you read some books you might struggle with some of the vocabulary that they use....
Why not write a short story?
While seeking inspiration or time or confidence for your opus magnum, why not write a short story? Short stories are amazing. Think of Grimm's Fairy Tales. The originals, intended for adults, not the sugar-coated versions we feed to children, are terrifyingly...
When writing isn’t right for you …
We are all hearing how the Bard wrote King Lear during a time of pestilence. What a dude! How Dodie Smith wrote I Capture the Castle during wartime, bombs dropping around her. J.K.Rowling, single-mum and author extraordinaire wrote in cafes. Well, blow me, I prefer...
Are you addicted to your iPhone?
Yes, many people are... or they believe they are. I spotted a tip that might help you, it definitely helped me. The tip involves making your phone change from colour, to grey-scale. And, for some people, that really helps. Here's how to do it. Go to Settings Go to...
Writing as therapy …
Writing is not just for writers, it is for everyone. It is human nature to write. Writing letters, emails, social media posts, diaries, are all forms of mindfulness translated into the written (or typed) word, for while you are focusing on writing, you are very...
Dare to drive your dialogue
Whether you’re writing a novel or a short story, dialogue should always serve some purpose – it should either advance the plot or develop a character, preferably both at the same time. Good dialogue: Distinguishes characters (e.g., languid v. dynamic speech)...